The poem known as Tao Te Ching, composed between 700 and 480 BCE, is the fundamental text of philosophic and religious Taoism and stands as one of the world's most popular and inspiring works of great literature. From the once-secret oral tradition of Taoist priests comes a translation that reveals, for the first time, the founding principles of their ancient wisdom. Providing a rare glimpse into their private world, this inspired translation of the Tao Te Ching makes Lao Tzu and the T'ienShih's archaic mystic language accessible to the general reader. Each poem is accompanied by the author's original Chinese calligraphy.